Heir of the Coven (Daughters of the Warlock 3)

Tavlor spoke over me, “I apologize for not coming to you first, Matlock, however, last night I asked Ava to marry me. And she accepted.”

Go to him first? For what? Permission?

I wanted to roll my eyes at how traditional such a thought was, especially considering my father hadn’t been in my life for a long while up to me seeking him out. Instead, I bit my lip. I was curious to see what my father’s reaction would be.

He stood up and reached out a hand to both of us.

I got to my feet and Tavlor and I took his hand. He brought ours together, his smile stretching across his face.

“You two were made for each other,” he said. “And when the time comes, I hope you will allow me to officiate the union.”

I looked up at him. “You can do that?”

He nodded. “Of course, I can,” he said, as though it was the most obvious thing. “I don’t often... but I would love to perform that rite at your marriage, Ava.”

I pulled my hand out of his grip so that I could throw my arms around his neck and hug my father close, burying my face in his shoulder.

“I would love that so much, thank you.” A wave of love for my father passed over me. “I... have something for you,” I said, pulling back.

Suddenly, I couldn’t look at him, couldn’t get the words out. I hoped he would react well to what I was going to present to him, but I couldn’t be sure it would actually work.

It was time to give my father the most important thing in my life. It was also time for me to move on, to create a new family for myself. I let out a shaky breath.

I wiped away the tears that had fallen to my cheeks.

“I was going to wait until all this was all over, but since I don’t know how this is going to end, I want to give it to you now,” I said.

I began to back up, towards my room.

“What is it?” my father asked.

I smiled, nervous butterflies flapping in my belly. Was this going to work?

“Hang on.” I put up a hand and disappeared down the hall, grateful he wasn’t following me.

I rushed into my bedroom and took the necklace and gold locket from its safely concealed place. It warmed my hand for a moment and a wave of longing passed over me. Could I really give up this connection to my mother?

Of hearing her voice of wisdom in my ear every day?

I gripped the locket harder. Yes. I was doing the right thing. I was certain of it. This was what my mother wanted. She would never admit it, but I was sure of it.

I rushed back out of my bedroom and walked towards my father, holding the locket in my hand.

“I can’t guarantee this is going to work, because I’ve never tried it on another person before,” I said, then furrowed my brows, shaking my head. “Not outside of my sisters, and it didn’t work with them.”

My father cleared his throat, his eyes shifting over to Tavlor as though he was trying to ask him what was going on with me. Tavlor shrugged, indicating he had no idea, which he didn’t. My father looked back at me.

“What is it, Ava?” He looked down at what I held in my hand. “Is that the locket from the trial?” He paused, and in a softer voice, he asked, “Your mother’s?”

I nodded. “Yes, she said you gave it to her.”

“Can I see it?” He smiled and held out his hand.

I placed it on his palm, and he glanced down. “Yes, it is.” There was a warmth to his voice I had never heard before, and my heart soared. “I gave it to her for her birthday, I believe... Hold on, is it meant to warm like that on your skin?”

My throat tightened with emotion. She was trying to communicate. “Ah, yes. But only if my mother wants to speak to you. That’s her way of telling you she has something to say. Kind of like a warning.”

He stared at me. “What do you mean, exactly?”